Autoblog

2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas priced from $26,155*

Autoblog Staff — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Honda, Specialty

The totally redesigned 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas (formerly known as the Civic GX), America's only natural gas-burning passenger vehicle, will hit Honda dealerships nationwide on October 18 with a starting MSRP $26,155, (*excluding a $750 destination fee). Add in navigation, and the Civic Natural Gas tops out at $27,655 plus $750 for delivery.

A modified version of the 1.8-liter four-cylinder found in the gas-fueled 2012 Civic Sedan and Coupe powers the Civic Natural Gas; a five-speed automatic transmission is standard. The Civic Natural Gas is EPA-rated at 27 city/38 highway/31 combined miles per gasoline-gallon equivalent. Compared against the 2011 Civic GX, the 2012 Natural Gas delivers a 12.5-percent improvement in city fuel efficiency and a 5.5-percent bump on the highway.

But here's the crucial question: How does the Civic Natural Gas stack up against its green sibling, the Civic Hybrid? Well, the Civic Hybrid starts at $24,800, so it's cheaper than the Natural Gas Civic and, at an EPA-estimated 44 mpg in all driving conditions, the gas-electric version is more fuel efficient. But for residents of California, where unlimited access to HOV lanes adds thousands of dollars to a car's value, the Honda Civic Natural Gas Civic might still be the logical choice. Hit the jump for the official press blast.

Continue reading 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas priced from $26,155*

2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas priced from $26,155* originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Transit Connect CNG taxis swing into action across U.S.

Autoblog Staff — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Ford, Specialty

The next time you hail a cab in Southern California, you could be jumping into a vehicle fueled by clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG). That's because California Yellow Cab of Orange County has become the state's first taxi company to put CNG-fueled Ford Transit Connect vans into service. California Yellow Cab says 10 (and soon more than 120) natural gas Connects are on the roads and ready to pick up passengers in the greater Los Angeles area.

Meanwhile, over in Chicago, Taxi Medallion Management says it has a dozen Ford Transit Connect CNG taxis in service. And in Connecticut, two cab companies are waiting for Ford to fulfill orders for 70 CNG-fueled Transit Connect taxis.

Later on, CNG-fueled Transits will ship out to Las Vegas and St. Louis. Philadelphia is expected to get in on the CNG action, too, once city officials approve natural gas vehicles for taxi duty.

Continue reading Ford Transit Connect CNG taxis swing into action across U.S.

Ford Transit Connect CNG taxis swing into action across U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What if it turns out there's plenty of oil? [w/video]

John McElroy — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Videos, Autoline on Autoblog

As the relative price of gasoline drops, people are not motivated to buy small, fuel efficient cars.

All the top executives in the auto industry tell me that oil supplies will only get tighter this decade. They predict that fuel prices will do nothing but go up. And they say customers will be clamoring for small, fuel-efficient cars. Or electric ones. But what if it turns out they're wrong?

After all, over the last century the price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States, on an inflation-adjusted basis, has always come down. Always. Data from the Energy Information Administration shows that since 1919 the price of gasoline has spiked during war time or global turmoil, but it has always come down after that. This is a key reason why Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations have not worked. As the relative price of gasoline drops over time, people are not motivated to buy small, fuel efficient cars.

A decade ago, the Peak Oil theory attracted a lot of adherents. It postulated that global oil production would peak in 2006, and that the following shortage would send oil prices skyrocketing. Sure enough, in 2008 a barrel of oil shot to $150. It looked like the Peak Oil theory was coming true. But less than 12 months later it dropped to under $40 a barrel. And though the price is now closer to $100 you don't hear as much talk about Peak Oil anymore. Here's why.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading What if it turns out there's plenty of oil? [w/video]

What if it turns out there's plenty of oil? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki's Hungarian production halts due to Russia/Ukraine gas dispute

Alex Nunez — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Russia

Russia and Ukraine are presently in the midst of a natural gas pricing dispute. Russia wants Ukraine to pay closer to market price for the commodity. Ukraine says that Russia should pay more for the use of its pipelines, through which the bulk of the EU's Russia-sourced natural gas flows. Russia has escalated matters by cutting off its gas shipments via Ukrainian pipelines completely, and the EU is scrambling as it deals with shortages. Obviously, there's zero love lost between Russia and Ukraine, and political finger-pointing continues apace. Pricing negotiations resume tomorrow, and EU monitors are likely to get involved.

In the meantime, the effect is already being felt in the European industrial sector. Hungarian government restrictions on industrial gas usage have forced Magyar Suzuki to cease production entirely. The automaker's Esztergom plant, located around 30 miles outside Budapest, produces the Suzuki Swift; the Suxuki SX4 and Fiat Sedici; and the Suzuki Splash / Opel Agila twins. Suzuki hopes to get Esztergom back online this coming Monday.

[Sources: WaPo, WSJ, Reuters]

Suzuki's Hungarian production halts due to Russia/Ukraine gas dispute originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: Volkswagen Passat Variant TSI EcoFuel

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:18:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Green, Volkswagen

Click above image for gallery of live shots of this high mileage Passat from Geneva

The Passat Variant (aka Estate, Wagon, Family Truckster) TSI EcoFuel popped up in Geneva today, joining Volkswagen's other super efficient headline grabber, the Golf TDI Hybrid. This particular VW uses the company's first natural-gas powerplant. If you look closely, you'll see that VW put a mirror at the rear of the display to show the natural gas storage tank mounted where a regular old gas tank would normally be on petrol versions. And as we learned from the press release (after the jump), it doesn't sacrifice power in the name of economy. This Passat pumps out 110-kW / 150-PS from its TSI engine. That's a direct-injection turbo, in case you weren't paying attention. It should sip just 5.2 kilograms of gas for each 100 kilometres of motoring fun. Look for this "concept" to appear in sedan and wagon versions by the end of the year.

The press release after the jump and check the gallery below.

Gallery: Volkswagen Passat Variant TSI EcoFuel

Continue reading Geneva 2008: Volkswagen Passat Variant TSI EcoFuel

Geneva 2008: Volkswagen Passat Variant TSI EcoFuel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oil companies and USGS to look for oil under receding polar caps

Eric Bryant — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 17:23:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Green

As the Arctic ice caps shrink due to the warming of the planet, it's expected that vast reserves of additional oil and gas will become available, as approximately 25 percent of the planet's petroleum is thought to lie under the polar ice caps. In an effort to map these hydrocarbon resources, the US Geological Society (USGS), BP, and Statoil will be heading far north to conduct widespread surveys next year.

What is frustrating a few people is that the survey activity will take place in conjunction with the International Polar Year, which is a large scientific project intended to establish benchmark polar environmental data so that the future effects of global warming can be understood. To critics, this seems a bit like joining the World Wildlife Federation to help collect data on endangered species, only to bring a hunting rifle just in case something looks tasty.

[Sources: Taipai Times; International Polar Year]

Oil companies and USGS to look for oil under receding polar caps originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Apr 2006 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Auto Show: Honda to NY Civic buyers: "Phill 'er up!"

Chris Paukert — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:36:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, Etc., Honda

Honda announced today that it is bringing to market a compressed natural gas (CNG) motivated Civic GX to New York buyers this fall.

According to the automaker, the GX will put out 'near zero emissions,' giving owners access to tax credits and home refuelling via an optional Phill home refueling apparatus.

In CNG guise, the green Civic nets an EPA fuel economy rating of 28/39 (city/highway), while meeting federal Tier 2-Bin 2 and ILEV zero evaporative emission standards. It does so via a 1.8-liter four-banger putting out 115 horsepower and 109 ft-lbs. of twist (a 10 percent increase) and 5-speed automatic.

The home refueling appliance, "Phill" is a product of the FuelMaker Corporation, and is usually garage-resident. The system allows overnight refueling, which nets owners natural gas at a rate about 50 percent cheaper than buying traditional gasoline from a station. GX owners on the road can get fuel at select CNG stations around New York State and still save an estimated 25 percent over petrol buyers. Phill must be professionally installed.

Continue reading New York Auto Show: Honda to NY Civic buyers: "Phill 'er up!"

New York Auto Show: Honda to NY Civic buyers: "Phill 'er up!" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW kicks off BlueMotion sustainability initiative

Stuart Waterman — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Europe, Green, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen announced Monday that it will launch a BlueMotion sustainability initiative at Auto Mobil International 2006 in Liepzig next week.

VW's AMI booth will showcase its Polo BlueMotion, Golf GT with the new TSI engine, and the Concept A with a TSI engine fuelled by natural gas.

The Polo BlueMotion, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, is the first production vehicle badged under the program. The new model will be launched in Switzerland, Austria, Sweden and Germany this summer. The diesel Polo includes a particulate filter and has been fine-tuned to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, with a taller final-drive ratio, enhanced aerodynamics and engine modifications. The 80-horsepower BlueMotion will go 100 km on only 3.9 liters of diesel.

The TSI "dual-charged" engine technology debuted in the Golf GT, as part of a VW campaign to marry maximum power with minimum fuel consumption. The CNG-powered version shown in the Concept A is a next-generation version that demonstrates what Volkswagen believes is an "important bridge technology" on the path to petroleum independence.

Full press release after the jump.
[Source: Volkswagen AG]

Continue reading VW kicks off BlueMotion sustainability initiative

VW kicks off BlueMotion sustainability initiative originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Mar 2006 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bosch launches new tri-fuel injection system

Eric Bryant — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Hybrid

With the future of automotive fuels a bit less certain, Bosch is hedging its bets and will offer a tri-fuel version of its NG-Motronic engine management system.

Operating on gasoline, natural gas, or ethanol, the system will allow on-the-fly switching between each of different fuel types. Natural gas appears to be an attractive alternative fuel in Europe and Asia, while the addition of the ethanol option is said to be driven primarily with a nod to Brazil's use of that fuel. Considering the United States' recent interest in ethanol, Bosch's timing on the introduction of this system looks to be quite fortunate.

[Source: AutoSpectator]

Bosch launches new tri-fuel injection system originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Mar 2006 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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